Articles

Schriever leaders recall sequestration impacts

Release Number: 070218

“If the Budget Control Act limit isn’t fixed and we have to go through sequester, that will be equivalent to a $15 billion cut. We’re too small for what the nation expects of us now, sequestration would make the situation worse.”

The Secretary of the Air Force made that statement earlier this year during her budget testimony and prompted Schriever leaders to recall how sequestration impacted the base and its operations in 2013.

“We ended up cutting $8.5 million during the year,” said Maj. Stephen Cash, 50th Comptroller Squadron commander. "This included reducing or eliminating non-mission critical temporary duty assignments and supplies, eliminating contracts that supported our community and de-scoping several mission contracts."

It should be noted that sequestration and continuing resolution are different.

Continuing Resolutions are individual public laws passed by Congress and signed by the president. The CR allows federal agencies to continue operations at a level or rate that does not exceed the prior year. It doesn’t allow for the start of new programs that were not ongoing in the previous years, an increase in scope of ongoing programs or to restart programs previously denied by Congress.

Sequestration is an across-the-board spending cut. It refers to automatic spending cuts that occur through the withdrawal of funding for certain (but not all) government programs. The Congressional Budget Office provides estimates of the statutory caps on discretionary funding and an assessment of whether sequestration might be necessary under current budgetary rules, but the Administration’s Office of Management and Budget makes the ultimate determination of whether a sequestration is necessary and, if so, how big it should be.

“We will continue to execute the mission within the spending constraints of the continuing resolution,” Cash said. “We are prepared to follow the guidance of our leadership, continue our mission here at Schriever and take care of our people.”

Adversaries are modernizing and innovating faster than we are, risking America’s technological advantage in air and space. A continuing resolution longer than three months poses numerous challenges to these programs.

The Air Force requires a stable and predictable budget in order to innovate as needed in the space and cyber domains, both of which Schriever Airmen navigate within on a daily basis.

Success today and into the future is about our Airmen and their readiness to do what the nation asks. Our greatest investment in readiness is also our most important - our people.

Part of the first sergeants’ creed states “Every One is my Business.” Every day, the first sergeants make it their mission to maintain the welfare of their Airmen.
Forever thankful for the first sergeants who look after us each day. #TeamSchriever is in good hands.

Many happy returns to our Schriever family this morning!!!
Best way to start the day is with the flag!
If you didn&#39;t catch reveille last Tuesday (or this morning), here are the highlights.
#HappyMonday#RedWhiteandBlue

Our Wing Commander highlights upcoming events, encourages safety when out and about this weekend and encourages us to continue to look out for one another. Remember 567-HELP connects you to a wealth of resources to help folks who my be struggling.

310th Space Wing friends and housing family! The holiday may be in full swing but some of our folks are working to serve our team!
AAFES not only has the food truck coming our way, but the Dunkin&#39; will ALSO be open 7 – 8 July from 7 – 11 a.m.! Bring your appetites!

“Service members, past and present, remember the enduring legacy of those intrepid patriots who fought during 1775-1783 for independence, and they recall the many times when later Americans have been called to preserve that independence in the face threats from enemies abroad. By wearing the uniform, they declare themselves ready to oppose any foe who would impose tyranny on them and their nation.”
-- Rick Sturdevant, deputy director of history with headquarters Air Force Space Command

#4thofJuly weekend is around the corner everyone! To help get you in the mood for good times, check out one of the latest adventures offered through the Outdoor Rec office!
Watch the views and bits of excitement experienced by some of our very own Airmen!
(Pssst... maybe also swing by ODR/ITT to scope out their future trips)

Many of you know that #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork, but did you know our firefighters live by this phrase?
Falcon and Schriever FD&#39;s came together to better themselves as a unit for future endeavors, how&#39;s that for teamwork?
“We’ve had mutual aid agreements for many years, and we’ve done some building familiarization, but haven’t trained together very often. This was just a great opportunity and I hope we get to come out here more in the future.”
-Jeff Petersma, deputy chief with the Flacon FD